expiatory Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective having power to atone for or offered by way of expiation or propitiation
    expiative; propitiatory.
    • expiatory (or propitiatory) sacrifice

WordNet

Ex"pi*a*to*ry adjective
Etymology
L. expiatorius: cf. F. expiatoire.
Definitions
  1. Having power, or intended, to make expiation; atoning; as, an expiatory sacrifice.

Webster 1913